Parliament, Sunday 21 June 2020 – A national men’s dialogue, Questions to the Deputy President and Ministers in the Economics Cluster, a Debate on Government’s response to Covid-19, Ministerial Briefings, consideration of Bills and the Youth Parliament make up some of the items on Parliament’s packed programme for the week ahead.
The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Lechesa Tsenoli, and National Council of Provinces Deputy Chairperson, Ms Sylvia Lucas, will today at 12:00 host a virtual Father’s Day men’s dialogue themed: “Fathers Speak to Heal the Nation.”
The men’s dialogue aims to discuss the role of men towards a healthy nation; facilitating an environment that is conducive and safe for children to grow and thrive; and being allies and partners towards women’s well-being. This dialogue is held in partnership with the Department of Social Development and the South African National Aids Council Men’s Sector.
Questions for Oral Reply is one of the mechanisms Parliament employs to hold The Executive, including the President and his Deputy, to account on how they perform their functions and exercise their powers. In line with Section 92(2) of the Constitution, Ministers in Cluster 5 – Economics (which includes Public Enterprises; Public Works and Infrastructure; Small Business Development; Tourism; Trade and Industry; and Transport) will be appearing in the hybrid sitting of the National Assembly (NA) on Tuesday to answer Questions for Oral Reply followed by Deputy President, Mr David Mabuza, who will “be in the House” on Thursday for his turn.
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will, in terms of NCOP Rule 84(1), hold a completely virtual plenary on Tuesday to Debate Government’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
During its Wednesday plenary, the NCOP will consider three Bills - the Cybercrimes Bill, the Civil Union Amendment Bill and the Science and Technology Laws Amendment Bill while the NA will, on the same day, hold a plenary to introduce two section 77 Bills (proposed) namely, the Adjustments Appropriations Bill and the Disaster Management Tax Relief Bill.
Also on Wednesday, the NCOP will be briefed by the Auditor General of South Africa on the Local Government Audit Outcomes (MFMA 2018/19) Report.
On Thursday, permanent delegates to the NCOP will receive a progress report from the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Angie Motsheka and the nine MECs for Education on the re-opening of schools and measures in place to curb the spread of Covid-19 in schools.
About 180 young people amongst them Members of Parliament, Members of the Provincial Legislatures, and representatives of districts and metros across the country will participate in a Youth Parliament to be held under the theme: “Youth Power – Growing South Africa together in a time of Covid-19” this Friday.
Lastly, the Parliamentary Group on International Relations (PGIR) will also hold a meeting on Friday to deliberate on the implementation of the resolutions taken at the PGIR workshop and also get a briefing on the update on the International Relations (IR) Programmes.
Committees of both Houses are scheduled to hold at least 23 virtual meetings this coming week as follows:
TUESDAY, 23 JUNE 2020
Portfolio Committee on Communications - Briefing by ICASA on various regulations before it and on licensing of (i) the IMT Spectrum; (ii) regulation of TV White Spaces; and (iii) licensing of a WOAN and all matters incidental thereto
Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs - Briefing by Western Cape Provincial Government on its COVID-19 response plans
Select Committee on Security and Justice - Briefing by the Magistrates Commission on the following progress reports: Progress report dated 31 January 2020, on the provisional suspension from office of Mr M D Hinxa, the Chief Magistrate, Bloemfontein, in terms of section 13(3)(f) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (No 90 of 1993); Progress report dated 31 January 2020 on the provisional suspension from office of Ms J F van Schalkwyk, Chief Magistrate at Kempton Park, in terms of section 13(3)(f) of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (No 90 of 1993); Briefing by the Ministry for Justice and Correctional Services on the: Recognition of Customary Marriages Amendment Bill [B 12 - 2019] (National Assembly – sec 76); Prescription in Civil and Criminal Matters (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill [B 22B - 2019]
WEDNESDAY, 24 JUNE 2020
Joint Meeting: Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy and Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises - Briefing by the Department of Public Enterprises and Eskom on their respective responses to the Independent Electricity Management Operator Bill [B14 – 2019]
Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure - Briefing by the DPWI on South Africa’s Infrastructure Investment Plan, which forms part of the Economic Growth Recovery Plan, post COVID19]
Portfolio Committee on Communications - Briefing by SABC on its turnaround strategy and matters incidental thereto
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology - Briefing by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on saving the 2020 academic year in the post-school education and training (PSET) system. Briefing by Universities South Africa (USAf) on measures implemented by universities towards saving the 2020 academic year in higher education and save lives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs - Petition from residence of Tzaneen to investigate the non-compliance to laws, by-laws and regulations by the Tzaneen Local Municipality; Deliberations on the Local Government: Municipal Systems Amendment Bill [B2-2019] – evidence by the Department of Cooperative Governance
THURSDAY, 25 JUNE 2020
Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs - Deliberations on the Local Government: Municipal Systems Amendment Bill [B2- 2019]
Portfolio Committee on Social Development - Briefing by the national and provincial Departments of Social Development (MECs and HODs) on the implementation of food distribution programmes; Update on progress made to respond to Covid19 pandemic issues
Joint Meeting: Standing Committee on Appropriations, Standing Committee on Finance, Select Committee on Appropriations and Select Committee on Finance - Briefing by the Minister of Finance on the 2020 Special Adjustments Budget
FRIDAY, 26 JUNE 2020
Multi-Party Women’s Caucus (Steering Committee) - National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide – Briefing by the Minister and Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development - Briefing by the DALRRD on the Upgrading of Land Tenure Rights Amendment (ULTRA) Bill [B6-2020]; Consideration and adoption of outstanding minutes
Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs - Finalisation of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Amendment Bill [B2- 2019]
For a full list of the Committees, visit Parliament’s website www.parliament.gov.za
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